Recent Posts

Monsoon Season is Upon Us

Monsoon season is fast approaching, and we have learned anything from this year, is to expect the unexpected. Don’t you agree? Now some monsoon seasons have been kind to us, while for those of us who have lived here longer, we have seen what they can do when they come in with a vengeance. A motto to live by is one from Benjamin Franklin, “failing to plan is planning to fail.” So, let us get a plan in place just in case the rain decides to come inside this year.

If you live in an area that is prone to flooding, by some sandbags and keep them around, if storms are predicted, then set them up outside the doors to try and prevent the water from coming inside.

Place towels on the inside of the window seals.

Have a few extra buckets, large pots, or bowls around in case there is a leak from the roof.

What happens if water gets in the house? There are several steps you can take to help prevent extensive damage to your personal items. However, there are also things you need to be aware of to keep you and your family safe.

If the water is minimal, get towels to wipe up areas or use a mop.

Remove any books, magazines, or other colored items from wet carpet to prevent staining.

If there is standing water, do not enter the room where electrical shock hazards may exist.

Contact your insurance company so they can help assess the damage and to see if they will cover any damage caused by the water.

Contact your local restoration company to help dry out your home and restore it to the way it was before the damage

Most importantly, be aware of the affected areas, and if the water looks dirty or has mud or other debris, completely avoid entering that area.

Back to Work

This week our city and state are starting to reopen a little more. As we look back at these last ten weeks, it just seems so unreal for everyone, including the essential workers. For us, our technicians still had to report to the office due to the line of work we perform; however, most of our office staff and marketing team has been working from home since the middle of March. And even though we are all starting to return to the office, it still is not back to normal yet. We have strict procedures to maintain everyone’s safety. Since our field technicians are often called out to provide cleaning services for commercial buildings with confirmed cases of COVID-19, we have set up containment and clean areas to ensure we all stay healthy.

For our marketing team, the social birds of our family, not being able to meet with our customers face-to-face, has been one of the toughest transitions. As a work family, some of the toughest changes have been not being allowed to gather as a team, with no breakfast meetings, no celebration gatherings, nothing. And as much as we want things to go back to normal quickly, we understand we must be safe as we move forward to prevent going backward. But we can plan, plan for future celebrations, team meetings without Zoom, lunch meetings with clients, trade shows, and golf tournaments. So although times seem odd and out of place, we remain hopeful and look forward to things returning to normal, regardless if we have a new normal to abide by or if everything returns to the way it was.

What has been the toughest part of all this for you? And what do you look forward to the most when returning to a standard work schedule?

Safe Re-Openings

During this unprecedented time caused by the global pandemic of coronavirus, this is a reminder to our customers that we are specialists in cleaning services, and we adhere to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards.

Specialized Training

We are prepared to clean and disinfect your home or business, according to protocols set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We have years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants, and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff perform on a daily basis.

The CDC recommends usage of a labeled hospital-grade disinfectant with claims against similar pathogens to the coronavirus. Multiple products in the SERVPRO product line carry the EPA-approved emerging pathogens claims. While there is currently no product tested against this particular strain of the coronavirus, we are following all guidelines as provided by the CDC and local authorities.

Call Today for a Proactive Cleaning

If your home or business needs deep cleaning services, call the experts today – SERVPRO of Rio Rancho and Sandoval County, 505-891-2345.

It's time to break out the Grill

Summer is fast approaching, which means more and more people will start to grill outside even more so during our current pandemic. As we are all safe at home, setting up the grill and fixing some steaks sounds like a perfect way to spend an evening outside. Although some might not recognize the risks of fire to your home, there are. Follow these tips to keep your home and family safe while cooking outside.

Make sure the grill is away from any structure.

Place the grill on flat, stable ground or surface

If it is a new grill, make sure it was correctly assembled.

If it is an older grill, and it is the first time you are using it for the season, check for structural damage.

For propane grills, make sure there are no leaks and that the propane tank is attached correctly.

With that, when you are done with propane tanks, please dispose of them properly.

For Charcoal grills, do not overuse starter fluid.

Always clean the grill before or after each use to prevent build-up.

Other things to keep in mind while grilling:

Watch out for small children who might be running around the grill.

Be aware of the clothing you are wearing.

Ewww...Mold

Most of us have been there before, the moment you see the fuzzy stuff growing on the food left in the back of the refrigerator. We typically gross ourselves out and then throw it away. Unfortunately, it isn’t always that simple when it’s growing under your sink. What if it isn’t just fuzzy, what if it’s black…oh no, now I’ve gone and done it. I’ve mentioned BLACK MOLD. We start asking ourselves, when is the last time we really looked under there, has the mold been there long, was that the reason we were all sick recently?

First, let’s look at Black Mold, what is it exactly? Stachybotrys chartarum (Black Mold) just another big word that leaves most of scratching our heads on how to pronounce it correctly. Black mold occurs when moisture is left unattended in a confined area.

The most important thing to do when mold is located it to remove its life source, moisture. Some may want to try and clean mold themselves, but what you may be unaware of is the mold you are attempting to clean is just the surface mold and not the mold that is beneath the surface.

Bringing in certified technicians is always the safest bet. Although mold does not always present health issues, for some, it is the complete opposite. Trust in the team at SERVPRO Rio Rancho to take care of your home and your health.

There is Hope

What happens when your smoke detector goes off in the middle of the night? Well, for most of us, we get up, grab the kids and pets, and then evacuate. At that moment, we aren't thinking about our precious positions, the memories saved in the pictures on your wall. At that moment, all we can think about is getting our family out safely.

Then the shock sets in. You are watching your home burn, and it hits you, the realization of what is happening, and you start to think of everything you had to leave inside. The fire department shows up, puts out the fire, the house is boarded up and you either have to stay with a friend, family member or in a hotel.

The next day you arrive on-site with a restoration team. Feeling a little hopeless as you go through your home seeing the destruction from the fire, not knowing there is still hope. The restoration company is telling you how they can save that old chest your grandmother passed down, or they can restore the pictures on the wall.

Here at SERVPRO of Rio Rancho, we are here to walk with you through those times. We can help pack up the house, taking special care that nothing else gets damaged before we start restoring your home to what it was before the fire. We have special equipment to help remove the smell of smoke from the undamaged parts of the house while we work diligently to give you back your home. And when that day comes, we will greet with smiles as we say Welcome Home.

Have You Checked your HVAC System?

Companies have many reasons to have their air ducts and HVAC systems cleaned on a regular basis. Just some of the benefits business owners would have from scheduling the cleaning is:

Creates a cleaner living environment

Reduces allergens

Can help people breathe easier

Removes unpleasant smells

Improves airflow efficiency, which can lower energy bills

We've never met a small business owner who does not want to lower their energy bills. Have you? Some businesses even require specific air quality levels, so the only way to keep this within their regulations is to schedule cleaning on a regular basis.

When is the last time you had your air ducts or HVAC system checked? Give us a call and we'll let you know where you stand.

Winterizing Your Swamp Cooler

We are sure you have noticed the weather has changed, it’s been cold outside. All this means is that it is time to winterize your swamp cooler.

When you winterize your evaporative cooler properly, you prevent the water line from freezing, unnecessary damages from condensation and rust, and heat loss from the vents. Heat loss from your vents alone can save you money on your monthly gas bill. However, when pipes freeze, they burst, which can lead to water damage. So let's make sure you've taken care of your cooler to prevent damage to your home.

To properly shut down your cooler, follow the below steps:

Disconnect the water line

Drain the water from the base of the cooler

Clean the cooler

Change the evaporative pads

Install a winter cover

Block the vent

Want an additional tip, once you have cleaned the drip pan at the base of the cooler, put a waterproof sealant on it to prevent future leaks. You can also complete the step when Spring comes back around.

Why Did My Basement Flood?

Water will find the least path of resistance and it could be into your basement. Be prepared and know how to prevent a flooded home!

Why Did My Basement Flood?

Flooding of basements is one of the most common issues most homeowners face. Although flooding occurs during heavy rains or rapid snow melts, it can also occur in dry weather.

There are many reasons for basement flooding including seepage, storm sewer backup, and improper grading among others. As the basement lies in the lowest level of a building, it is prone to flooding.

What causes basement flooding?

These are the most common causes of basement flooding:

Foundation Leaks: Water can seep into the foundation if there are cracks in it. The risk of flood in your foundation is more if your home is near groundwater. Cracks in the foundation can lead to significant water leakage into the basement.

Leaking basement windows: Windows in the basement can leak and let water creep in during rains. Whenever it rains, there could be a significant collection of water on the windowsills. Fixing the windowsill is the only option to prevent basement flooding.

Blocked sewer: If the manifold that connects the public sewer system to your house is blocked it can lead to floods in your basement. It is important to call local authorities immediately to address blocked gutters and SERVPRO® of Rio Rancho/Sandoval County to mitigate the sewage and water damage.

Debris in gutters: The gutters play a critical role in preventing basement flooding as they carry away rainwater from the home. If they are clogged or damaged, they can overflow during rains and allow water to build up. If the ground near the basement soaks up too much water, it can seep into the basement as well.

Improper grading or sloping: If the yard does not slope away in the right manner, rainwater does not drain effectively. If the sloping is towards your home rather than away, excess water can result in basement flooding.

Improper downspouts: Downspouts channel water away from the foundation and should be at least 5 to 6 feet away from the wall of the basement. If the downspouts are missing or broken, water tends to pool near the house and slowly seeps into the basement.

Having a company that can coordinate the whole process from start to finish to make your life easier and gets you back in your home or business faster. “Like it never even happened.”®

How To Prevent Grill Fires

According to the National Fire Protection Association, 9,600 home fires are started from grills each year. The leading cause of those grill fires was that the grills had not been properly cleaned. It doesn't matter if your grill is gas, charcoal or a smoker, all grills need cleaned just as you already clean your stove-top to prevent a grease fire. Take this fire safety precaution and learn the art of grill cleaning. Here is how:

Turn off gas. Close the valve and move the propane tank away from the area. Begin grill cleaning when the grill has cooled to just warm.

Wipe the outside. Just use soapy water and a cotton cloth.

Clean cooking grates. When cool enough to touch, start brushing the bars with a wire brush, then remove them and place in soapy water.

Empty the catch pan. For gas grills, empty the drip pan. For charcoal grills, you simply lift the charcoal grate and rotate the bottom mechanism to dump ash into the catch pan. Empty the ash catch pan. If ash is still hot, store in a metal covered pail.

Clean the cook box of the grill. Grill cleaning the interior of a gas grill includes burner tubes and heat deflectors. For either grill, you can scrape carbon and grease build-up from the interior of the grill with a wire brush and scrub with soapy water.

Reassemble your grill and enjoy safe use. Keep the grill a safe distance from the house when in operation and never leave the grill unattended while food is cooking.

Another important fire safety precaution is to keep children away from grills. Declare a three-foot area around the grill to be a no-kid zone and stay in the area. Proper grill maintenance is the key to preventing structure fires from your grill. If you do have fire damage, at least you can trust SERVPRO® of Rio Rancho/Sandoval County restoration specialists to help assess and restore your property to its pre-fire conditions.

Having a company that can coordinate the whole process from start to finish to make your life easier and gets you back in your home or business faster. “Like it never even happened.”®